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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
contact:
mark lindsey, director of sales and marketing
520.577.5867
mark.lindsey@westin.com
WESTIN LA PALOMA GENERAL MANAGER WILLIAM PETRELLA NAMED
2009 HOTELIER OF THE YEAR BY ARIZONA HOTEL & LODGING ASSOCIATION
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (July 9, 2009) - William "Bill" Petrella, general manager of The Westin La Paloma in Tucson, Ariz., was named the 2009 Hotelier of the Year by the Arizona Hotel & Lodging Association. The announcement was made during its annual awards gala, held this year at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Ariz., as part of The Arizona Governor's Conference on Tourism.
Petrella was recognized for his unwavering dedication to Arizona tourism, which includes serving on a variety of organizational boards while successfully representing the industry among local and state government officials, the community and the media in championing numerous business initiatives.
"Bill brings both an incredible passion and commitment to his work, embodying the true spirit of tourism not only within Starwood but throughout the state of Arizona," said Mark Vinciguerra, area managing director for Starwood Hotel & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. "His efforts have played on integral role in the advancement of our industry, and we congratulate him on this well-deserved honor."
With more than 20 years of hospitality experience, Petrella currently oversees the daily operations at the 487-room AAA Four Diamond luxury resort and country club, a role he assumed in 2004. During his tenure, the La Paloma has been recognized as the No. 1 property in the Westin brand for overall meeting planning satisfaction, and the top resort in quality assurance. Petrella joined Starwood in 1997, and has also served as general manager of The Westin Stonebriar Resort (Frisco, Texas); The Westin Stamford Hotel (Stamford, Conn.); The Westin Grand Hotel (Washington, D.C.); The Tremont Hotel and The Raphael Hotel (Chicago, Ill.).
Currently president of the Southern Arizona Lodging & Resort Association, he is also a member of the Arizona Hotel & Lodging Association, the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the Metropolitan Tucson Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. His charitable efforts include serving as national vice president of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. A native of Livingston, N.J., Petrella is 1986 graduate of the School of Hotel and Restaurant Management at Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pa.
about the resort:
The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa is a luxury, full-destination resort in the foothills of Tucson's Santa Catalina Mountains. The resort offers 487 guestrooms including 25 suites, 27-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa, seven restaurants featuring the culinary delights of 30 year Westin Executive Chef, Serge Delage and James Beard award-winning Janos Wilder, Tennis & Health Center featuring the WestinWORKOUT, Yoga and Pilates classes, catering and conference planning, retail shops, five swimming pools, 177' waterslide, and the Westin Kids Club Discovery Room.
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